2007.500.351

Address: 9 Ashland Ave., Methuen, MA 01844
Phone: (978) 683-9789
Date of Birth: March 13, 1949
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
Ethnic Background: Polish, German, Irish
Interviewer: Joan Kelley
Summary: OH 604 gives a good description of a mid-twentieth century parochial school run by an ethnic (Polish) parish. Only children of members could attend, and only those with Polish heritage could belong to the parish. The narrator tells of the Polish influence in their schooling, including art. The older girls helped with the lunch program, including hand-washing the dishes. Classes started with two grades to a classroom, but the size of the school eventually increased. Class of 1962.
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL
OH 605 The narrator's father took a job as houseman at the Turn Hall (Turn Verein) for several years. During part of that time, the family lived in the small apartment within the huge building; the four girls had bedrooms upstairs because of a lack of space within the apartment. This was a second job for the narrator's father, but her mother helped in the bar, and the narrator helped clean. She details the gymnastics classes for youth (originally for adults also). Eventually the membership dwindled, and the club was sold. At one point it was used as a chapel for Latin masses. The narrator describes in detail the many sections of the building, including its bowling alleys, dance hall, murals, ornate woodwork, and meeting rooms. There was a kitchen on each floor. German food.

https://lawrencehistory.org/files/audio/oh/2007.500.351-meile.mp3